Yosemite National Park Proposes Fee Hike

Yosemite National Park is proposing to hike its entrance fee from $20 to $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass. The park is also evaluating campground fees.

The last time entrance fees were raised at Yosemite was 1997.

Yosemite Park Ranger Scott Gediman says current entrance and use fees haven't kept up with inflation. "Eighty percent of the money that comes in through the entrance fees stays in Yosemite for park projects and so we've been talking to people about this informally. People are good with it. People understand these types of fees go up."

Gediman says other national parks such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Sequoia Kings Canyon are also proposing similar raises. He says the Park is proposing to raise campground rates. And, the park's annual pass would increase from $40 to $60 under the proposal.

Gediman says Yosemite sees an average of 4 million visitors annually.

The public has 30 days to comment on the proposal.

Gediman says the new fees could be implemented as soon as early next year.

As the Central Valley correspondent, Rich Ibarra covers San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced counties, along with the foothill areas including Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. He covers politics, the economy and issues affecting the region. Read Full Bio